NEWS Briefs

SAGINAW CONSERVATION DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING MARCH 4 – The Saginaw Conservation District will hold its annual meeting and election of officers on Wednesday, March 4 at the Freeland sport center. Absentee ballots are now available for voting in this election by writing or calling the Saginaw Conservation District Office, 178 N. Graham Road, Saginaw, (989) 781-1720 during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

BLOOD DRIVE FEB. 6 – There will be a blood drive on Friday, Feb. 6, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Chesaning Brady Fire Department fire station. Those who attempt to donate could win a $200 spa package plus a $50 dinner gift card. For an appointment, call (866) MIBLOOD or visit miblood.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

CHAMBER RAFFLE WINNER – The winner of the Chesaning Chamber of Commerce biweekly raffle for Wednesday, Jan. 28, is Remy Greenfelder, of Chesaning. Guest drawer was Morgan King, of Chesaning.

CONGRESSMAN KILDEE ANNOUNCES MOBILE OFFICE HOURS – Congressman Dan Kildee (5th Dist.) will have expanded mobile office hours that his staff will hold throughout the Fifth Congressional District this year in order to continue offering services and direct support to constituents. During mobile office hours, staff will meet with and assist those who may have questions concerning their Social Security benefits, immigration applications, veterans’ benefits and other federal program eligibility or status. Office hours will be held on the first and last Thursday of each month, beginning on Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Saginaw County Government Center, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Room 215 in Saginaw. Constituents can visit or call Kildee’s district office in Flint Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 801 S. Saginaw St., Flint, or (810) 238-8627.

RE-ELECTED – The Montrose Community Schools Board of Education elected officers during the January organizational meeting. The officers were re-elected as follows: President Morrie Fikes, Vice President Alan Alguire, Secretary Kevin Briggs, and Treasurer Coetta Adams. Adams was also appointed to serve as the school board’s liaison to the Genesee County Association of School Board Members. Superintendent Dr. Edward Graham explained that as Montrose’s representative, Adams will be involved in setting the organization’s legislative agenda for education.

DONATION – During the Jan. 27 meeting, the Montrose Community Schools Board of Education officially accepted a donation of food from Riverside Market to the Kuehn- Haven Middle School food drive. The donation was valued at $112. Montrose school board President Morrie Fikes expressed appreciation for Riverside Market’s support of the school district.

STAFFING – Montrose Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Edward Graham presented a few staff changes during the Jan. 27 school board meeting. Social media coordinator Lisa Conrad has resigned. Para pro Joseph Mulvaney (hired in 2009) and para pro Stephanie Colmes (hired in 2014) have both submitted their resignations. The para pro positions, posted in accordance with staff contracts, have been filled. Jennifer Swede is a para pro who has been hired to serve as Carter Elementary School lunchroom monitor and as a crossing guard. Para pro Kendra Wilson, who has been filling the same position all year, will serve as special ed student aide. Para pro Hannah Wade will serve as Kuehn-Haven Middle School lunch monitor. Dr. Graham also announced that they have hired Christopher Garza as a student success counselor for Carter Elementary School. Garza has frequently served as a substitute teacher for Carter Elementary School.

TRIP TO SPAIN – During the Jan. 27 meeting of the Montrose Community Schools Board of Education, Hill-McCloy High School Spanish teacher Kristopher Edwards requested permission to plan a June 2016 trip to Spain for students who have completed at least Spanish II. He feels the trip is the best way to teach culture and have students interact with the people of Spain. Edwards reminded the board that he led student trips to Spain in 2014 and to Costa Rica in 2012. “I would like to keep doing this sort of trip with my students. What other chance would they be able to go?” he said. He and his wife would be going; no other teachers or parents have volunteered yet. His goal is to take at least a dozen students. The Montrose Community Schools Board of Education approved the trip with the understanding that the board would have the authority to cancel the trip if world conditions or bad weather would put the students at risk.

DUAL ENROLLMENT – Montrose Hill-McCloy High School Principal Linden (Bo) Moore talked about a new opportunity for Hill-McCloy High School students to earn college credits through dual enrollment with Northern Tier Advanced Placement. It costs the school district $2,000 per student; but he estimates it saves families approximately $15,000 in college tuition.